Pope Francis said today (November 11, 2015) that a family that chooses to watch TV or play with their smartphones -- rather than talk at the dinner table -- is "hardly a family," the Catholic Herald (British) website reports.
"When children at the dinner table are glued to the computer, or the telephone and do not listen to one another, they are not a family, they are retired," the Pope said today during his weekly general audience.
Continuing his catechetical series on family life, the Pope reflected on the theme of togetherness, which is manifested at the dinner table. The Pope said that "to share a meal -- and not just food, but also affection, stories, events -- is a fundamental experience."
The Pope added Christians have a special vocation to foster family togetherness. The dinner table, he noted, is the place chosen by Jesus to teach His disciples and where He summarized the meaning of His death on the cross "that nourishes true and everlasting love."
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Russia Hints Act of Terror Downed Jet in Egypt; But Refuses to State Publicly Bomb Downed Jet
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has acknowledged for the first time that an act of terror may have been behind the downing of a Russian passenger jet in Egypt's Sinai peninsula, killing all 224 people, the Euro News website reports today (November 10, 2015).
It's the nearest the Russian government has come to saying a bomb may have caused the crash.
Both Russia and Egypt have yet to announce the cause of the disaster and both countries have dismissed as premature U.S. and British assessments last week that a bomb was the likely cause. The leading U.S. theory is that an airport worker at the Red Sea resort of Sham el-Sheikh may have planted the suspected bomb aboard the Russian plane.
Russian communications intercepted by U.S. intelligence agencies show that Russia firmly believes a bomb brought down the jet, but Russia does not want to admit it publicly.
It's the nearest the Russian government has come to saying a bomb may have caused the crash.
Both Russia and Egypt have yet to announce the cause of the disaster and both countries have dismissed as premature U.S. and British assessments last week that a bomb was the likely cause. The leading U.S. theory is that an airport worker at the Red Sea resort of Sham el-Sheikh may have planted the suspected bomb aboard the Russian plane.
Russian communications intercepted by U.S. intelligence agencies show that Russia firmly believes a bomb brought down the jet, but Russia does not want to admit it publicly.
Judge Favors Milwaukee Archdiocese Abuse Plan; Allows $21M Settlement for 330 Victims by Clergy
A federal judge yesterday approved a bankruptcy plan for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee that includes a $21 million settlement for 330 victims of sexual abuse by clergy, the Religion News website reports today (November 10, 2015).
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Susan Kelley approved the church's Chapter 11 reorganization plan more than four years after the archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection.
The U.S. Catholic Church has been hit with a series of sexual abuse accusations aimed mainly at clergy who targeted youths over the past two decades.
The scandals have cost the U.S. Catholic Church about $3 billion in settlements and driven prominent dioceses like Milwaukee's into bankruptcy.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Susan Kelley approved the church's Chapter 11 reorganization plan more than four years after the archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection.
The U.S. Catholic Church has been hit with a series of sexual abuse accusations aimed mainly at clergy who targeted youths over the past two decades.
The scandals have cost the U.S. Catholic Church about $3 billion in settlements and driven prominent dioceses like Milwaukee's into bankruptcy.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Obama, Bibi "Kiss and Make Up" at White House; Shun Iran Nuclear Deal, Focus on Joint Interests
At a White House amiable meeting today (November 9, 2015), U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu consoled their bitter disagreement over the Iran nuclear deal and focused on other more pleasant interests -- including enhanced U.S. military aid for Israel -- the LA Times website reports.
In their first sit-down summit after a year of rocky relations, the two leaders made a public show of praising their countries' unique political, cultural, and military ties. They also agreed to set aside their differences to work harmoniously on issues of critical concern.
Obama condemned a recent surge of Palestinian violence against "innocent Israeli citizens" and reaffirmed Israel's right to protect itself.
Netanyahu pledged his support for a two-state solution based on a "demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state."
In their first sit-down summit after a year of rocky relations, the two leaders made a public show of praising their countries' unique political, cultural, and military ties. They also agreed to set aside their differences to work harmoniously on issues of critical concern.
Obama condemned a recent surge of Palestinian violence against "innocent Israeli citizens" and reaffirmed Israel's right to protect itself.
Netanyahu pledged his support for a two-state solution based on a "demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state."
Jordan Policeman Kills 5, Including 2 Americans; Attacker Shot Dead, Also Wounded Seven People
A Jordanian police officer opened fire today (November 9, 2015) at a regional police training center in the Jordanian capital of Amman, killing two Americans, two Jordanians, and a South African before being shot dead, the Yahoo News website reports.
The attacker also wounded seven people, including two Americans, Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani said.
He added authorities are investigating whether the attacker's motive was personal or political.
Jordan -- a close U.S. ally that has a peace treaty with Israel -- has long been seen as an island of relative stability in a turbulent Middle East.
The attacker also wounded seven people, including two Americans, Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani said.
He added authorities are investigating whether the attacker's motive was personal or political.
Jordan -- a close U.S. ally that has a peace treaty with Israel -- has long been seen as an island of relative stability in a turbulent Middle East.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Pope:Leaks Won't Deter Him from Reform Effort; Rips Two Authors for Revealing Confidential Info
Pope Francis today (November 8, 2015) broke his silence over the leaking of confidential Vatican documents, which he described as a "deplorable act" that will not stand in the way of his ambitious reform agenda, according to the Religion News website.
Speaking to followers in St. Peter's Square, the pontiff criticized revelations made in two books published last week that explore Francis's efforts to overhaul financial mismanagement within the Vatican walls.
"Stealing those documents was a crime. It's a deplorable act that does not help," the pope said, adding that the leaked information was based on a study he had personally requested.
"I wish to reassure you that this sad event certainly does not deter me from the reform project that we are carrying out, together with my advisers and with the support of all of you," said Francis, telling his followers they should not be upset by recent events.
Speaking to followers in St. Peter's Square, the pontiff criticized revelations made in two books published last week that explore Francis's efforts to overhaul financial mismanagement within the Vatican walls.
"Stealing those documents was a crime. It's a deplorable act that does not help," the pope said, adding that the leaked information was based on a study he had personally requested.
"I wish to reassure you that this sad event certainly does not deter me from the reform project that we are carrying out, together with my advisers and with the support of all of you," said Francis, telling his followers they should not be upset by recent events.
Palestinian Killed after Slamming Car at Bus Site; Wounded 4 Israeli Civilians,All Taken to Hospital
Four Israelis were wounded -- two of them seriously -- today (November 8, 2015) in a car-ramming terror attack at Tapuah Junction in the West Bank, the Times of Israel website reports.
A group of Israelis was waiting for a bus at the site. The Palestinian driver approached the intersection, then accelerated into the waiting crowd, according to witnesses and police.
The four wounded -- all civilians -- were evacuated to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva.
The driver, identified by authorities as 22-year-old Sleiman Shahin from Ramallah, was shot and killed by Border Police forces at the junction.
A group of Israelis was waiting for a bus at the site. The Palestinian driver approached the intersection, then accelerated into the waiting crowd, according to witnesses and police.
The four wounded -- all civilians -- were evacuated to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva.
The driver, identified by authorities as 22-year-old Sleiman Shahin from Ramallah, was shot and killed by Border Police forces at the junction.
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